Fox’s coverage of the opening match in Mexico City between the host nation and South Africa didn’t include a pregame performance by Shakira, and it cut to full-screen commercials during the two mandatory hydration breaks.
FIFA organized opening ceremonies ahead of the first match for each of the three host nations. Telemundo showed the performance featuring Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, and other artists.
Fox instead cut to four of its analysts from an empty stadium in Los Angeles, and went back to the same crew during halftime. The U.S. Men’s National Team plays its opening match of the tournament on Friday against Paraguay in L.A.
Fox did air other parts of FIFA’s opening ceremony, including a procession of flags from the tournament’s 48 participating nations, a performance by Andrea Bocelli and EJAE, and the South African and Mexican national anthems.
During the match, when it was time for the mid-half hydration breaks, Fox commentator Ian Darke introduced the pauses as being “powered by Powerade” before the broadcast cut to several full-screen commercials. In the second half, the broadcast returned from commercial after play had already resumed.
